Strip inverter

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an apparatus for inverting a lugged strip to a desired orientation without the necessity of manhandling the strip and potentially damaging the strip or any of the lugs. The apparatus has a semi-circular tube through which the strip travels. Within the tube, to assist the strip, is a conveyor. The conveyor is mounted on the larger diameter side of the semi-circular tube. The strip is moved from an unloader and into an opening of the inverter with the lugs. The strip makes contact with the far wall of the tube and then is forced to travel along the semi-circular path of the tube. Due to the forced curve and turning of the strip, the strip is inverted.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manipulatinga lugged strip. More specifically, the present invention is directed toa method and an apparatus for inverting a lugged strip of material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Earthmover machines and agricultural equipment have ground engagingmeans employing endless tracks driven by drive wheels. The endlesstrack, or belt, is assembled over a plurality of wheels, at least one ofwhich is a drive wheel, and is engaged by the drive wheel. Such tracksystems are increasingly more common because the tracks have greatertraction in soil and cause less ground compaction than conventionalpneumatic tires.

Methods for manufacturing reinforced, endless rubber track can be bothexpensive and time-consuming. Some methods and apparatus used for themanufacture of industrial belts may be applicable to endless vehicletracks. However, because of the large differences in the sizes of thebelts, which typically have a size expressed in inches or cm, andendless rubber track, which typically have sizes expressed in feet, asimple scale-up of belt technology is not always possible and may notyield usable rubber track. This is self evident due to the greateramount of rubber and reinforcement that must be vulcanized for tracks incomparison to belts.

In forming tracks, there are several known methods for forming endlessreinforced track. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,536,464, and 4,207,052 illustrate afew conventional methods.

In these known track forming methods, the track carcass, the variousrubber layers and reinforcement means are wound on a fixed circumferencedrum. The circular carcass is then placed into an open “C” press forcuring, wherein the first and last heat must match up to create theappearance of an endless built and cured rubber track.

As the track diameter increases the number of heats required to cure theentire track increases, increasing the likelihood of uneven cures at thematch points of the heats. Additionally, for each different track sizethere must be a drum capable of forming a carcass of that size, eitheran expandable or a fixed diameter drum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In forming the track as disclosed herein, the track is cured as a flatstrip with the lugs pointing downwardly. However, to splice the strip toform an endless track, the lugs must face upwardly; thus the strip mustbe inverted. Disclosed is an apparatus for inverting the strip to thedesired orientation without the necessity of manhandling the strip andpotentially damaging the strip or any of the lugs.

The apparatus has a semi-circular tube through which the strip travels.Within the tube, to assist the strip is a conveyor. The conveyor is apreferably a passive roll conveyor along which the cured strip travels.The conveyor is mounted on the larger diameter side of the semi-circulartube.

The strip is moved from an unloader and into an opening of the inverterwith the lugs. The strip makes contact with the far wall of the tube andthen is forced to travel along the semi-circular path of the tube. Dueto the forced curve and turning of the strip, the strip is inverted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described by way of example and with reference tothe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an overhead view of the manufacturing system;

FIG. 1A is an overhead view of the building cell;

FIG. 1B is an overhead view of the press cell;

FIG. 1C is an overhead view of the splice cure press cell;

FIG. 2A is a side view of the building cell;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the press cell;

FIG. 2C is a side view of the splice cure press cell;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the building cell facing the build table;

FIG. 4 is side view of a material cartridge;

FIG. 5 is the material cartridge along line 5—5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an overhead view of the stock left-off mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the build shuttle;

FIG. 8 is the drive column of the build shuttle;

FIG. 9 is the shear assembly;

FIG. 10 is the hold down unit at the end of the build table;

FIG. 11 is the loader assembly along line 11—11 in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 12 is the unloader assembly;

FIG. 13 is the top view of the track removal tool;

FIG. 14 is the splice cure cell; and

FIG. 15 is the splice cure press along line 15—15 in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The manufacturing system has three manufacturing cells: a building cellA, a flat cure press cell B, and a splice cure press cell C, see FIG. 1.The cells A, B, C are in series with the appropriate necessary materialhandling of the material assembly from one cell to the next cell.

The Build Cell

The build cell A, the first cell in the manufacturing system, and itscomponents are illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 3-10. The build cell Ahas a build table 2, a build shuttle 4 which travels the length of thebuild table 2, and at least one load cartridge 6.

As seen in FIG. 1A, the build table 2 (illustrated without the buildshuttle 4) is located adjacent a plurality of cartridge stations 8. Thebuild table 2 has a length at least equivalent to the circumferentiallength of the largest belt that can be built in the manufacturingsystem. The table 2 has a powered conveyor belt 10. The underside of theconveyor belt 10 is preferably ribbed to provide for tracking of thebelt 10. The conveyor belt 10 is powered by a motor 12 at one end of thebuild table 2. The table 2 is mounted on a plurality of load cells (notillustrated). The load cells measure the total weight of material laidupon the build table 2. Such information is necessary when the trackcarcass is to be built to weight specifications, or when the carcassweight must be known. Cartridge stations 8 are distanced from each otheralong the side of the build table 2.

FIG. 2a illustrates a side view of the build cell A from the side facingthe cartridge stations 8 and with empty load cartridges 6. Along thebase of each cartridge station 8 are pairs of drive wheels 14. The drivewheels 14 in each pair are connected by an axle 16. When the cartridge 6is in its cartridge station 8, the cartridge 6 rest on the drive wheels14. The number and type of wheels 14 must be sufficient to support theweight of the fully loaded cartridge 6. The pairs of wheels 14 areconnected to a clutch at each cartridge station 8, synchronizing thespeed and movement of the wheels 14. The clutches at each station 8 areconnected to a motor 18.

Each load cartridge 6 has an open frame structure, with means to mountboth a stock material roll 20 and a separator sheet take-up roll 22, anda stock let-off assembly 24, see FIGS. 4-6. The rectangular cartridgebase has two side support beams 26 and two width support beams 28. Sidesupport beams 30 extend upwardly from the side base beams 26. On a firstside of the side support beams 30 are means to mount the stock materialroll 20. The stock material 32 may be rubber sheet, calendered cord, orcalendered wire. The types of rubber, cord, and wire are of the typeconventionally used in the manufacture of the carcass of rubber tracks.

On the opposing side of the side support beam 30, and vertically offsetfrom where the stock material roll 20 is to be mounted, are means tomount the separator sheet take-up roll 22. The separator sheet 34 isoriginally between adjacent spiral layers of the stock material 32. Themeans for mounting the stock material roll and the take-up roll allowfor easy rotation, removal, and replacement of the rolls 20, 22. Forboth the stock material roll 20 and the separator sheet take-up roll 22,shafts 36 extend between the side support beams 30. At the side of thecartridge 6 closest to the build table 2, shafts 36 extend and terminatein fly wheels 38. At the opposing end of each shaft 36, a hand wheel 40may be provided to assist the builder in loading and unloading thecartridge 6.

The separator sheet 34 is separated from the stock material 32 at thestock let-off assembly 24. The stock let-off assembly 24 is locatedbeneath the take-up roll 22, and mounted on angular support frames 42extending from each side support beam 30. The stock let-off assembly 24has a top roll 44, a bottom roll 46, a side feed roll 48, and a feedconveyor 50.

The stock material 32 and the separator sheet 34 pass between the topand bottom rolls 44, 46 and are separated from each other at this pointin the stock let-off assembly 24. The separator sheet 34 passes betweenthe top roll 44 and the side feed roll 48 and is wound onto the take uproll 22. The stock material 32 passes beneath the feed roll 48 and ontothe feed conveyor 50. The rolls 44, 46, and 48 are preferablysynchronized by means of a drive belt passing about drive sprocketsmounted at one end of the rolls 44, 46, 48. Side plates 47 may bemounted at the ends of all three rolls 44, 46, 48.

The feed conveyor 50 may be either a roll conveyor or an endless beltconveyor. The selection of the type of conveyor is best determined bythe properties of the stock material loaded in the cartridge 6.Typically, if the stock material 32 is rubber sheet, a belt conveyoroperates better, and if the stock material 32 is calendered wire orcord, then a roll conveyor may operate better. In FIG. 6, the feedconveyor is a split belt conveyor.

When cartridges 6 are in the cartridge station 8, the width base beams28 of the cartridge 6 rest on the drive wheels 14 and the cartridge 6 issecured in the station 8 by locks 52. The locks 52 are located on theside base beam closest to the power end of the cartridge station 8. Toassist in moving the cartridge 6, or to wheel the cartridge 6 out of thecell A, wheels 54 are mounted along the underside of the carriage 6. Thewheels 54, when the cartridge 6 is in its station 8, are not employedand are actually suspended in the air.

Mounted on the build table 2, and capable of traveling the length of thebuild table 2, is the build shuttle 4. The build shuttle 4 has anextending base frame 56 and mounted on the base frame is a second frame57 upon which is a power dispenser unit 58, build conveyor 60, and ashear assembly 62, see FIG. 7. The build shuttle 4 may also have acentering system to ensure that each ply of stock material 32 iscentered as it is laid on the build table 2 and the shuttle 4 may alsohave a stitching system that rolls the laid ply unto the previously laidplies.

The power dispenser unit 58 is located at one end of the base frame 56.The power dispenser unit 58 has a drive column 64 perpendicular to thebase frame 56. At the lower end of drive column 64 is a lower drive arm66. Mounted on the lower drive arm 66 is a drive wheel 70, an associatedbrake 72, and clutch 74. The drive wheel 70 is mounted on the inner sideof the lower drive arm 66, facing the cartridge stations 8, see FIG. 8which illustrates the inside view of the drive column 56. The associatedbrake 72 and clutch 74 are mounted on the outer side of the lower drivearm 66 and are connected to the drive wheel 70 through the drive wheelshaft 76. A motor 67 adjacent to the drive arm 66 powers the mechanismsof the lower drive arm 66. A pneumatic cylinder 75 is mounted to thecolumn 64 and to the drive arm 66. When activated, the pneumaticcylinder 75 moves the drive arm 66 to initiate or terminate contactbetween the drive wheel 70 and the fly wheel 38 associated with thestock material roll 20.

Mounted at the top of the drive column 64, and on the opposite side ofthe column 64 from the lower drive arm 66, is the upper drive arm 68.Mounted on the upper drive arm 68 is a drive wheel 70 and an associatedbrake 72 and clutch 74. The drive wheel 70 is mounted on the inside ofthe upper drive arm 68. The associated brake 72 and clutch 74 aremounted on the outer side of the upper drive arm 68 and are connected tothe drive wheel 70 through the drive wheel shaft 76, see FIG. 8. Themotor 69 powers the mechanisms of the upper drive arm 68. A pneumaticcylinder 75 is mounted to the column 64 and to the drive arm 68. Whenactivated, the pneumatic cylinder 75 moves the drive arm 68 to initiateor terminate contact between the drive wheel 70 and the fly wheel 38associated with the take up roll 22.

Extending across the frame 57 of the build shuttle 4, at the powerdispenser unit end of the shuttle 4, are pairs of drive wheels 15. Thedrive wheels 15 in each pair are connected by an axle 17. The wheels 15of each pair are equidistant from the drive column 64 and are the samespace apart as the drive wheels 14 in each cartridge station 8. Themotor 77 adjacent to the drive column 64 powers the pairs of drivewheels 15.

Adjacent to the power dispenser unit 58 is the build conveyor 60. Thebuild conveyor 60 is at an inclined angle relative to the shuttle baseframe 56. The build conveyor 60 transports the stock material 32 alongits length and onto the belt 10 of the build table 2. The build conveyor60 may be constructed in multiple ways. The conveyor 60 may be a singlebelt conveyor, a plurality of small belt conveyors, or several adjacentbelt conveyors, similar to feed conveyor 50. The conveyor 60 may also bea ball conveyor, a roll conveyor or a combination of ball and rollconveyors. As with the feed conveyor 50 on the load cartridge 6, thephysical properties of the stock material 32 will determine which typeof conveyor is best suited for use as the build-up conveyor 60.

In the illustrated build conveyor 60, there are three sets 80, 82, 84 ofadjacent belt conveyors. The uppermost set 80 extends prior to the shearassembly 62, the middle set 82 extends from the exit point of the shearassembly 62 to just beyond the shear assembly 62, and the lowermost set84 extends from the middle set 82 to a point adjacent to the surface ofthe build table conveyor belt 10.

Mounted at the end of the build conveyor 60 may be a component of acentering system. A digital or photoelectric means, such as theillustrated camera 86 is mounted onto a bracket 88 over the top of thebuild conveyor 60 and provides information regarding the width of thestock material 32. The camera 86 provides feedback within the system toensure that the stock material 32 being laid upon the build tableconveyor belt 10 is aligned and centered with previously laid plies ofstock material 32. To adjust the alignment of the material 32 being laiddown upon the build table conveyor belt 10, if a misalignment isdetected, at a minimum, the lowermost portion 84 of the build conveyor60 is capable of side-to-side movement to correct any misalignment. Forthis reason, it is advantageous to have the lowermost portion of thebuild conveyor distinct from the remainder of the build conveyor 60. Asan alternative, the entire build conveyor 60, in conjunction with theshear assembly 62, and the power dispenser unit 58 may be capable oftransverse, or side-to-side, movement. To achieve this, as noted, thepower dispenser unit 58, the build conveyor 60, and the shear assembly62 are mounted onto the frame 57. Frame 57 is mounted onto frame 56 viaa set of liner slides 89, permitting the frame 57 and all of thecomponents mounted thereon to laterally move and adjust the placement ofthe stock material 32 upon the table 2. The centering system is mounteddirectly onto the side frame 56, so that the system does not move.

Other sensing means may be located in various locations on the buildshuttle 4 to assist in the proper placement of the stock material 32 andthe proper build of a track carcass 90. Such other sensing means mayalso assist in providing information regarding the length of thematerial 32 being fed through the build shuttle 4 and onto the buildtable conveyor belt 10 to assist in building the track carcass 90 to thecorrect specification length. One such device is the encoder 92 locatedat the stock material roll 20. The encoder 92 has a roller 94 thatcontacts the stock material roll 20, tracking the amount of material 32,and liner 34, being fed out by the shuttle assembly 4. The encoder 92may be located at any other location where it can contact at leasteither the stock material 32 or the liner 34 as it is feed off the roll20. Additional sensing means can also include cameras located at thelowermost end of the conveyor 84 to determine when material 32 is laidupon the belt 10.

The shear assembly 62 is mounted over the build conveyor 60, and priorto the middle conveyor section 82, and shears the stock material 32being laid on the build table conveyor belt 10. The shear assembly isshown in more detail in FIG. 9. The shear assembly 62 has a top knifeblade 96 and a bottom knife blade 98. The top blade 96 is attached to ahydraulic cylinder 100 that is guided by the shear assembly frame 102.The bottom blade 98 is fixedly attached to the shear assembly frame 102.To prevent the blades 96, 98 from spreading apart when shearing thestock material 32, the shear assembly frame 102 is strengthened tostabilize the frame 102.

Sets of compression springs 104 are located adjacent the blades 96, 98and are connected to a hold down bar 106. When stock material 32 issheared, the springs are activated to force the hold down bar 106against the stock material during the shearing.

The shear assembly 62 rotates the assembly +/−30° from the transversedirection. The shear assembly 62 is on a central post 108 that permitsit to rotate. The conveyors 80, 82 drop down for clearance when theshear assembly 62 is activated and also when the shear assembly 62rotates.

Mounted at the end of the shuttle base frame 56 is an optional stitchingsystem including a stitching roll 110. The stitching roll 110 is mountedpivotally at the end of the shuttle base frame 56. When not in useduring traveling of the shuttle 4 along the length of the build tableconveyor belt 10, the arms 112 holding the stitching roll 110 aremaintained at a position above the build table conveyor belt 10.

To additionally assist in laying up the different plies of the trackcarcass 90, a hold-down unit 114 may be located at the end of the buildtable 2, see FIG. 10. The hold-down unit 114 travels along the end ofthe build table 2. The unit 114 has a center hold-down bar 116 mountedunderneath a u-shaped frame 118. Other types of hold down units may beemployed other than the illustrated configuration.

To assist in moving the built-up carcass 90 off the table 2, a swingconveyor 120 may be provided at the end of the build table 2. Typically,the swing conveyor 120 is at a position perpendicular to the build table2. The swing conveyor 120 is mounted so as to pivot about a point 122coincident with the end roll about which the build table conveyor belt10 turns. After pivoting, the swing conveyor 120 is parallel to thebuild table 2. The swing conveyor 120 is illustrated as a roll conveyorbut may be a belt conveyor or a ball conveyor.

Operation of the Build Cell

A load cartridge 6 is loaded with a roll 20 of stock material 32 andliner 34. The stock material 32 in each cartridge 6 may be distinct;however, if a single type of stock material 32 is to be repetitivelyused in building the track carcass 90, than multiple cartridges 6 may beloaded with the same stock material 32. As seen in FIG. 3, new rolls 20may be loaded into the cartridges 6 by means of an overhead transportsystem 124.

To begin building a track carcass 90, the build shuttle 4 travels thelength of the build table 2 until it is directly adjacent a loadcartridge 6 loaded with the appropriate stock material 32. The buildshuttle 4 aligns itself with the load cartridge 6, aligning the pairs ofdrive wheels 15 on the build shuttle 4 with the drive wheels 14 in thecartridge station 8. Once the build shuttle 4 and the cartridge station8 are aligned, the locks 52 maintaining the cartridge 6 in the cartridgestation 8 are released, the motor 18 associated with the station isactivated, the station clutch is disengaged, and the pairs of drivewheels 14 begin to rotate in the direction of the build shuttle 4.Simultaneously, the motor 77 on the build shuttle 4 located near thedrive column 64 of the power dispenser 58 is activated and the drivewheels 15 in the build shuttle 4 begin to rotate in a direction towardsthe drive column 64.

The drive wheels 14 in the cartridge station 8 drive the load cartridge6 out of the cartridge station 8 and the drive wheels 15 in the buildshuttle 4 pull the load cartridge 6 onto the build shuttle 4. Once thecartridge 6 is on the build shuttle 4, locks secure the cartridge 6 ontothe build shuttle 4 and the cartridge station motor 18 in the cartridgestation 8 disengages. The build shuttle 4 then travels to the forwardend of the build table 2 to begin dispensing the stock material 32.

When the load cartridge 6 is on the build shuttle 4, the pneumatics 75are activated and the lower drive arm 66 moves so that the drive wheel70 contacts the flywheel 38 at the end of the shaft 36 upon which ismounted the stock material roll 20, and the upper drive arm 68 moves sothat the drive wheel 70 on the upper drive arm 68 contacts the flywheel38 at the end of the shaft 36 upon which is mounted the take-up roll 22.The forward end of the feed conveyor 50 is aligned with the uppermostedge of the build conveyor 80.

The drive wheels 70 on the drive arms 66, 68 cause the rolls 20 and 22to rotate and the pulling action of the rollers 44, 48, acting as niprollers, in the feed conveyor 50 cause the stock material 32 to be fedonto the conveyor 50 and onto the build conveyor 60. As the stockmaterial 32 is fed onto the build table conveyor belt 10, the buildshuttle 4 moves along the length of the build table 2. Simultaneouslywhen the build shuttle 4 begins moving down the table 2, the hold downunit 114 travels to the end of the stock material 32 on the build table2 and the hold-down bar 116 drops down and retains the end of the stockmaterial 32 in place on the table 2.

After the needed length of stock material 32 has been feed from the loadcartridge 6, the shear assembly 62 shears the stock material 32 andbuild shuttle 4 continues to move back along the build table 2 to laythe remainder of the cut ply onto the table 2. Once the entire length ofthe spliced ply has been laid on the table 2, if the next ply ofmaterial 32 to be laid down is not loaded on the cartridge 6 currentlyon the build shuttle 4, the build shuttle 4 returns to the cartridgestation 8 from which it removed the load cartridge 6. The operationwhich transferred the cartridge 6 onto the build shuttle 4 is reversedand the cartridge 6 is returned to the cartridge station 10. That is,the drive wheels 15 in the build shuttle 4 begin to rotate in thedirection of the cartridge station 8, and the drive wheels 14 in thecartridge station 8 begin to rotate in the same direction, driving theload cartridge 6 off the build shuttle 4 and into the cartridge station8. The shuttle 4 then moves to a location adjacent another cartridgestation 8 to obtain a different load cartridge 6.

If the next ply to be laid down is the same stock material 32 that is inthe currently loaded cartridge 6, the shuttle 4 may simply return to thefront of the build table 2. In either situation, the build shuttle 4 isreturned to the front of the build table 2 with a load cartridge 6mounted thereon.

As the build shuttle 4 lays the stock material 32 down upon the buildtable conveyor belt 10, the stitching roll 110 may be down and stitchingthe ply as the shuttle 4 dispenses the stock material 32. Alternatively,as the shuttle 4 returns to the front of the build table 2, thestitching arms 112 drop down and the stitching roll 110 travels alongthe length of the laid down ply. As the shuttle 4 approaches the frontof the build table 2, the hold-down bar 116 raises and the hold-downunit 114 returns to the end of the build table 2. Once the hold-downunit 114 is returned to the end of the table 2, the build shuttle 4 canlay down the next ply of stock material 32 on top of the previously laidply.

After the plies of the track carcass 90 have been laid in accordancewith the build specification, the uncured carcass structure 90 isremoved from the build table 2. The conveyor belt motor 12 is engagedand as the conveyor belt 10 travels in the direction of the flat curepress cell B, the track carcass 90 is transferred off of the build table2. To assist in moving the carcass 90 from the build table 2 to the flatcure press cell B, the swing conveyor 120, having a length long enoughto complete the gap from the end of the build table 2 to the cure cellB, swings to a position parallel to the build table 2. Alternatively, amoveable table-like conveyor, with a height equivalent to the buildtable 2, may be positioned between the build table 2 and the flat curepress cell B to complete the gap between the build cell A and the flatcure press cell B.

The Flat Cure Press Cell

The flat cure press cell B, the second cell in the manufacturing system,and its components are illustrated in FIGS. 1B, 2B, 11-13. The flat curepress cell B has a carcass loading system 126, a press 128, and a beltunloader 130.

The carcass loading system 126 is a side supported cantilevered fixture132 located between the press 128 and the build cell A. The sidesupported cantilevered fixture 132 has a top rail 134, a bottom rail136, vertical support rails 138, and horizontal support rails 140. Theside supported cantilevered fixture 132 is mounted on an overhead railsystem 142 which runs along the length of the flat cure press cell B.The overhead rail system 142 has a length at least equivalent to thecarcass loading system 126, the press 128, and the belt unloader 130.The horizontal support rails 140 support at least one power conveyorbelt 144, preferably two belts 144. The motor 146 that drives thecarcass loading system 126 is located on the top rail 134. A timing beltconnects drive pulleys located at one end of the conveyor belts 144 andthe motor 146 to synchronize the movement of the belts 144 with themovement of the fixture 132 along the overhead rail system 142.Alternatively, a feed-back control system can be used to synchronize themovement of the belts 144 and the fixture 132.

The flat cure press cell B has a double daylight open C frame stylepress 128 to cure the unvulcanized carcass 90 and unvulcanized lugs toform a flat vulcanized lugged strip 152. The press 128, best illustratedin FIG. 2B, has an open C-frame structure. The press 128 has a topplaten 154, a center platen 156, and a bottom platen 158 so as to curetwo tracks at the same time; a first track in the top daylight position160 and a second track in the bottom daylight position 162. The topplaten 154 is secured to the top of the c-frame structure of the press128. Underneath the bottom platen 158 are hydraulic cylinder rams 164 tofacilitate in both moving the bottom platen 158 and providing thenecessary ram force to operate the press 128. The center platen 156 ison a counterbalance mechanism that consists of cylinders to help move itup and down.

The platens 158, 156 form the bottom daylight position 162, and theplatens 154, 156 form the top daylight position 160. The bottom platens156, 158 of each daylight position 160, 162 have segmented molds alignednext to each other with steam as the heating source. Alternatively, themolds may be made by any other conventional mold fabrication process.Also, the molds may be heated by other conventional heating means,including, but not limited to, electricity. The molds have cavitiesshaped to correspond to a desired lug configuration of the final track.Unvulcanized lugs are loaded into the cavities before an unvulcanizedcarcass 90 is loaded into the press 128. However, if the lugs to beformed are shallow, it may not be necessary to load additionalvulcanizable material into the molds. The platens 154, 156 forming thetop platen of each daylight position 160, 162, may be provided withtooling having a tread pattern to form a tread on the final track.

The endmost mold cavity at each end of the press 128 is cooled withwater to maintain a reduced cavity temperature relative to the othercavities so that the endmost lugs adhere to the carcass 90 but remainuncured. Depending upon the splicing configuration, additional endmostcavities may also be cooled with water.

At the opposing end of the press 128 from the carcass loading system 126is the unloader 130, see FIGS. 2B, 12, and 13. The unloader 130 has atop rail 166, vertical support rails 168, and horizontal support rails170. The top rail 166 is mounted on the overhead rail system 142 thatextends along the length of the flat cure press cell B. Movement of theunloader 130 along the overhead rail 142 is powered by a motor 172located at one end of the unloader 130. The horizontal support rails 170support at least one track removal tool 174. There are preferably twotrack removal tools 174, each tool 174 corresponding to a daylightposition 160, 162 of the press 128. Additionally, the horizontal supportrails 170 travels vertically along the vertical support rails 168.

The track removal tool 174 has two extending spaced tines 176. Theleading end 178 of each tine 176 is sloped downward to form a wedge witha leading narrow tip. Within each tine 176 is a powered conveyor belt180 that rises above the surface of each tine 176. A space 182 ismaintained between the two tines 176 of each tool 174. If the lugsformed on the flat vulcanized lugged strip 152 are centrally located onthe underside of the lugged strip 152, the lugs will reside between thetines 176 when the strip 152 is removed from the press 128. If the lugsare not centrally located on the strip 152, the lugs may reside on theoutersides of the tines 176. The tines 176 are supported by wheels alongthe length of the tines 176. The wheels roll along the horizontalsupport rails 170 to move the tools 174 into and out of the press 128.The motor 172 drives the track removal tool 174 along the overhead rail142. The tines 176 are preferably provided with individual pneumaticmotors (not shown) to drive the conveyor belts 180 within the tines 176.The pneumatic motors are linked to the movement of the tines 176, so ifthe removal tool 174 is halted, movement of the conveyor belts 180 isalso halted.

To assist in continuous operation of the manufacturing system, a storageunit 184 may be located between the build cell A and the flat cure presscell B. The storage unit 184 has multiple storage locations 186. Theillustrated storage area 184 has eight storage locations 186. Eachstorage location 186 has a conveyor belt 188 powered by an adjacentmotor 190. The storage unit 184 is vertically moveable along a pair ofvertical posts 192 so that an individual storage location 186 ishorizontally aligned with either the build table 2 or a conveyor belt144 of the carcass loading system 126.

The flat cure press cell B may also have apparatus to transfer the curedstrip 152 from the flat cure press cell B. Adjacent to one end of theunloader 130 is the inverter 198, see FIGS. 1B, 2B, and 12. The inverter198 has a semi-circular path with an upper opening 200 and a loweropening 202. The inverter 198 has a box frame 204 moveable along atransverse rail 206. Within the inverter 198 is a roll conveyor 208forming the semi-circular path of the inverter 198. The lowermost edge210 of the roll conveyor 208 extends past the edge of the box frame 204.

Adjacent to the unloader 198, and moving between the flat cure presscell B and the splice cure cell C is flat bed conveyor 212 is mounted ontransverse rails 214. The height of the conveyor 212, as measured fromthe floor, corresponds to the height of the lowermost edge 210 of theinverter roll conveyor 208. The conveyor 212 may be provided with a handrail 216 to assist in moving the conveyor 212 between the cells.

Operation of the Flat Cure Press Cell

After an unvulcanized carcass 90 has been built in the build cell A, thecarcass 90 is shuttled off the build table 2 and to the flat cure presscell B. If no storage unit 184 is employed between the build cell A andthe flat cure press cell B, the uncured carcass 90 is moved onto one ofthe conveyor belts 144 of the carcass loading system 126.

If a storage unit 184 is employed, the storage unit 184 moves along thevertical posts 194 to align an empty conveyor belt 188 with the buildtable 2 prior to the carcass 90 being transferred. The build tableconveyor belt 10 begins to move in the direction towards the press cellB, and the aligned conveyor belt 188 begins to move in the samedirection, pulling the carcass 90 onto the belt 188 in the storage unit184.

To transfer the carcass 90 into the carcass loading system 126, thestorage unit 184 travels along the vertical posts 194 until at least oneof the conveyor belts 188 carrying an uncured carcass 90 is aligned withleast one of the conveyor belts 144 in the carcass loader 126. The motor146 of the loading system is engaged, and both belts 144, 188 begin totravel in the same direction, at the same speed, to transfer the carcass90 from the storage unit 184 to the loader 126. Once the carcass 90 hasbeen completely transferred onto a belt 144 within the loader 126,movement of the belt 144 is stopped.

To place the carcass 90 into the cure press 128, the clutch of theloader frame structure 132 is disengaged and the loader frame structure132 travels in the direction of the press 128 along the overhead railsystem 142. The top belt 144 enters the top daylight position 160 of thepress 128 and the bottom belt 144 enters the bottom daylight position162. The loader frame 132 travels to a preset location at the opposingend of the press daylight positions 160, 162. After the loader frame 132has reached the preset location, the conveyor belts 144 begin to move inthe direction of the unloader 130. As the conveyor belts 144 move, theloader frame structure 132 begins to travel back to its primary positionadjacent to the press 128. The speed of the conveyor belts 144 and theloader frame structure 132 are synchronized so that the uncured carcass90 is evenly laid into the press 128. Prior to loading a carcass 90 intothe press 128, if required, unvulcanized lugs are placed into the moldcavities. When the uncured carcass 90 is placed into the press 128, theends of the carcass extend past the endmost molds and thus will not becured. The uncured ends will be spliced together and cured in cell C.

After carcasses 90 have been placed in the press 128, the hydrauliccylinder rams 164 and the counterbalance cylinders operate to close thedaylight positions 160, 162 of the press 128 and the carcasses 90 arecured. During curing, the endmost mold cavities are cooled with water toreduce the cavity temperature. As previously discussed, this reduces thecavity temperature so that the endmost lugs adhere to the carcass 90 butremain uncured. The carcass is cured in such a manner that the resultingcured central portion has a length of 75 to 95 percent of the totallength of the carcass.

After curing, the press 128 is opened and the cured lugged belt strip152 is removed in the following manner. After the bottom platen 158 andthe center platen 156 are lowered, the motor 172 of the unloader 130 isengaged. The unloader 130, if required, moves along the vertical supportrails 168 to align the track removal tools 174 with the molds in thebottom and center platens 158, 156. The unloader 130 begins to movealong the overhead rail system 142 in the direction of the press 128.The track removal tools 174 enter the top and bottom daylight positions160, 162 of the press 128. Due to the wedge shaped configuration of theleading edges 178 of the tines 176, the tines 176 are inserted betweenthe vulcanized lugged strip 152 and the top surface of the molds. As thetrack removal tools 174 enter further into the press daylight positions160, 162, the lugged strip 152 is pulled out of the cavities. The flatsurface portion of the vulcanized lugged strip 152 rests on top of theconveyor belts 180 of each tine 176. To assist in pulling the vulcanizedlugged strip 152 out of the mold cavities, the conveyor belts 180 may bedriven in a direction opposite of the travel direction of the unloader130. After the cured strips 152 are completely removed from the moldcavities, movement of the conveyor belts 180 is stopped and the unloader130 reverses its direction along the overhead rail system 142, returningto its original location.

After the cured strips 152 have been removed from the press 128 and theunloader 130 has returned to its original location, the strips 152 areresting on the track removal tools 174. The inverter 198 is moved to aposition aligned with the end of the track removal tools 174. At thesame time, a bed conveyor 212 is positioned adjacent to the unloader 130so that the lowermost edge 210 of the roll conveyor 208 is aligned withthe surface of the flat bed conveyor 212. The track removal tool 174containing the strip 152 to be transferred to the splice station 194 isaligned with the upper opening 200 of the inverter 198.

The motor of the unloader 172 is engaged, and the belts 180 on the tines176 begin to travel in the direction of the inverter 198. As the curedstrip 152 travels off the tines 176, it goes into the upper opening 200,travels through the semi-circular path of the inverter 198, out of thelower opening 202, and onto the flat bed conveyor 212. When the strip152 is in the unloader 130, any formed lugs on the strip face downward;after the lugged strip 152 goes through the inverter 198, the lugs faceupward.

The Splice Cure Press Cell

The splice cure press cell C is the last cell in the manufacturingsystem. This cell C has at least one splice station 194 and a cure press196. The cured strip 152 is spliced in the splice station 194 and curedin the cure press 196 to form an endless lugged belt. The splice curepress cell C and its components are illustrated in FIGS. 1C, 2C, 14 and15.

The splice cure press cell C is the last cell in the manufacturingsystem. This cell C has at least one splice station 194 and a cure press196. The cured strip 152 is spliced in the splice station 194 and curedin the cure press 196 to form an endless lugged belt. The splice curepress cell C and its components are illustrated in FIGS. 1C, 2C, 14 and15.

In the illustrated splice cure press cell C, there are splice stations194 on each side of the press 196, a right hand splice station 228 and aleft hand splice station 230, relative to the press 196, and preferablyboth the right and left hand splice stations 228, 230 each have twobottom platens 218 and associated support conveyors 222, as seen inFIGS. 1C and 14. Each splice station 194 is mounted on one side of asupport rail 232, and the bottom platens of a single splice station 194move in and out of the press 196 together. Alternatively, there may beonly a single splice station 194 on each side of the press 196, a singlestation 194 located only on one side of the press 196, or the two bottomplatens 218 located on one side of the press 196 may move independentlyinto and out of the press 196.

The press 196 is housed in a support frame 234. The press 196 has a topplaten 237. The top platen 237 is powered by a hydraulic ram 238 mountedover the top platen 237, the hydraulic ram 238 providing the necessarypress force. The top platen 237 is heated by steam for curing of thespliced strip 152. In the illustrated press 196, there is one topplatens 237, with two mold toolings 236 mounted adjacently forsimultaneous curing of two spliced strips 152. In an alternativeconstruction, the press 196 may have a single mold tooling 236 to cureonly one spliced strip 152 or the press 196 may have two adjacentplatens 237 which may be independently operated.

At each station, apparatus may be provided to remove the cured luggedbelt from the splice cure press cell. Such apparatus may be, but is notlimited to, overhead lifting devices mounted on overhead rails.

Operation of the Splice Cure Press Cell

After the cured strip 152 has been transferred to the conveyor 212, theconveyor 212 moves over to the end of the splice station 194 and thelugged strip 152 is transferred onto the support roll conveyor 222. Thefollowing steps are taken to splice the lugged strip. The operator firstloads any necessary unvulcanized lugs into the centermost molds 220 inthe bottom platen 218 and then pulls the ends of the lugged strip upover the bottom platen 218, inserting the previously cured lugs just infrom the end of the lugged strips into the molds. The ends of the luggedstrip are spliced together by overlapping the ends. If necessary,additional material may be added to the splice region or material may beremoved from the splice region.

The bottom platen 218 and molds 220 are shuttled into the cure press196. The top platen 237 closes and the splice is cured. During curing,the unvulcanized lugs are cured and adhered to the splice region. Aftercure is completed, the bottom platen 218 and molds 220 are shuttled outof the cure press 196. The cured lugged belt is removed from the splicestation 194.

During operation of the cell C, when the bottom platen 218 is outside ofthe cure press 196, cold water travels through at least the molds 220,and if desired or necessary through the platen 218, so that the operatorcan work around the splice station 194 to either splice the cured luggedstrip 152 or to remove the cured lugged belt. When the platen 218 isindexed into the press 196, steam passes through the molds 220 and ifdesired, through bottom platen 218 as well.

In the illustrated double splice station cell C with a splice station194 on each side of the press 196, i.e. a right hand and a left handsplice station 228, 230 with a pair of bottom platens 218 at eachstation 228, 230, the cell C is preferably operated in the followingmethod. After a lugged strip 152 is delivered to the support conveyors222 at one splice station 194, for example, at the left hand splicestation 230, the lugged strip 152 is hand spliced. During this time, thebottom platens 218 of the right hand station 228 are in the press 196curing a pair of lugged strips 152. After the cure cycle is completed,the steam in the molds 220 within the press 196 is shut off, and coolwater begins to flow through the molds 220. Steam continues to flowthrough the top platen 237 and molds 236. The bottom platens 218, molds220, and cured belts are indexed out of the press 196. As the bottomplatens 218 begin to index out of the press 196, simultaneously, thebottom platens 218, molds 220, and spliced belts from the left handstation 230 begin to index into the press 196 and steam begins to flowthrough the molds 220. The cured lugged belts are removed from the righthand splice station 228 and new strips 152 are delivered to the splicestation. In this manner, the splice cure cell C can continuouslyoperate.

Variations in the present invention are possible in light of thedescription of it provided herein. While certain representativeembodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustratingthe subject invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in this artthat various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the scope of the subject invention. It is, therefore, tobe understood that changes can be made in the particular embodimentsdescribed which will be within the full intended scope of the inventionas defined by the following appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for manipulating a lugged carcassstrip, wherein the strip has at least one vulcanized layer and aplurality of lugs protruding from at least one surface of the vulcanizedlayer, the apparatus comprising a semi-circular tube for inverting thestrip and changing the orientation of the lugs relative to thevulcanized layer; further comprising a transverse rail, a box framebeing moveably mounted to travel along the transverse rail to transportthe semi-circular tube between a first position and a second positionproximately disposed to the lugged carcass strip.
 2. An apparatus inaccordance with claim 1, wherein a conveyor is mounted within thesemi-circular tube and includes a lowermost edge that extends past thelower edge of the box frame.
 3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2wherein the lower edge of the conveyor is aligned to receive the luggedcarcass strip with the box frame in the second position.